Shunned Illinois Senator Suddenly Relevant .

[elleng]

The Illinois Democrat, appointed by disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, says he'll only vote for a bill to provide health care to millions more Americans as long as it allows the government to sell insurance in competition with private insurers.

And he says he won't compromise.

''I would not support a bill that does not have a public option,'' Burris, 72, said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. ''That position will not change.''

http://nytimes.com/aponline/2009/10/19/us/politics/AP-US-Health-Care-Burris-Relevancy.html

[depakid]

1. Politics makes strange bedfellows....

[denbot]

2. This made him an excellent addition IMHO.

Right on Mr. Burris

[Demeter]

3. Burris Can Afford to Be Principled

He's got nothing else anybody wants....and no chance of reward or punishment. Other Democrats can afford it too, but they want more than the glory of serving. So they won't.

[bluestateguy]

4. We need more folks in the Senate who will make that ultimatim

The more that do so, that will force Reid and Obama to listen.

[burning rain]

5. It's a pleasure to see Burris take a fine stand on health care reform.

It's hard not to like such a conspicuously nice guy, so it was especially sad to see him sunk in the obvious sort of pay-to-play that makes it impossible for him to stand for a full term. But it counts for much that he'll go out having taken a strong and decent stand on such a key issue.

[lostnfound]

6. That's terrific.

Weird, but terrific.

[notesdev]

7. Dead man walking

I'm surprised this guy is even allowed to be seated, he got his seat by such obvious corruption that it is astounding anyone had the balls to actually go through with it. Not the guy you want to hang your hat on.

[Canuckistanian]

8. Screw you, Olympia Snow

Your hijacking of HCR is over!

[Myrina]

9. Just wait' til Rahm calls him ... he'll change his tune ...

:eyes:

[The Second Stone]

13. He doesn't need to take Rahm's calls

because Rahm has nothing to offer him. Besides which, Rahm is going to be as cagey as Obama on HCR until the last minute.

[harkadog]

14. You may not know Chicago politics.

Rahm has plenty to offer him. Burris is going to be doing something after he leaves the Senate next year. Rahm through Mayor Daley can make that comfortable or not. That said who knows what Rahm will say in the end about the public option.

[The Second Stone]

15. I suppose you may be correct

but Burris is old enough to retire and has the reputation for it. Incidentally, I was taught practical politics (forget the A.B degree) from a retired Chicago judge.

[harkadog]

16. Politicians don't seem to retire like the rest of us

Burris has been old enough for a few years now. He had a political consulting business that wasn't doing too well before he got the appointment. But if he decides to retire more power to him.. I actually like the guy despite the circumstances of his appointment.

[Scruffy1]

10. Rollin Roland

Looks like old Roland got a new life. More power to him. Beats the shit out of Conrad and Baucus.

[yurbud]

11. that makes him smarter and less corrupt than a lot of blue dogs

which is setting the bar very low admittedly.

[ihavenobias]

12. K & R n/t